(1863) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-217/479a, Long May It Wave

Coin Details

Auction Record

$312 MS62BN 09-21-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 217, a design depicting the American flag circled by thirteen stars inscribed "THE FLAG OF OUR UNION," one of the most popular obverse die families, expressing loyalty to the national standard, with reverse die 479 bearing a design featuring "National Union League of the US". Depicting the national flag encircled by stars, this obverse family expressed Union patriotism in its most direct visual form. Flag dies were paired extensively with different reverses, resulting in one of the largest variety families in the series. Struck in copper, the most practical metal for tokens intended to fill the gap left by hoarded federal cents. Copper tokens survive in greater numbers than any other composition, reflecting their enormous production volumes. Produced in 1863. The end of the token era came swiftly in 1864 when Congress authorized new small-denomination currency and criminalized private token production. Surviving specimens are tangible artifacts of a brief but remarkable chapter in American monetary history.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 217/479a. Die pairing: obverse 217, reverse 479. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. The Fuld rarity scale ranges from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique); survival depends on the specific die combination, metal, and condition.

Cross References

Fuld 217/479a